Watch The Stand Up

The Stand Up, released in 2011, is a charming romantic comedy film set in New York City. It stars Jonathan Sollis, Margarita Levieva, and Aidan Quinn, among others. The movie portrays the life of a struggling comedian, Zoe (Margarita Levieva), as she navigates through her romantic and professional lives. The movie begins with Zoe performing stand-up comedy in a small club in the city. She is good at it, but she's not making enough money and is still struggling to make a name for herself in the industry. Zoe's boyfriend, Glen, is also a comedian, but unlike her, he's making a living from his work. Zoe is envious of him, and their relationship is not going well either. To put it bluntly, their relationship is at the brink of collapse.

In the midst of all of this, Zoe gets a job at a local bar where she meets a man, David (Jonathan Sollis). David is a charming and funny man with whom Zoe clicks instantly. They go on a date, and from that point on, Zoe is smitten with David. Everything seems to be going well until Zoe realizes that David is married. David, on the other hand, is in a toxic and unhappy marriage, and he is only trying to figure out a way to leave his wife.

The movie takes the audience through Zoe and David's budding romance, which is quite different from standard Hollywood rom-coms. It's a refreshing change from the typical 'boy meets girl' narrative. Zoe and David's relationship is complicated, and the audience doesn't know what to expect. This uncertainty keeps the viewers watching and enraptured.

A major theme explored in the film is the struggle comedians face while pursuing their passion for stand-up comedy. Zoe, a character that is loosely based on the film's director Dwayne "DC" Coleman's life, talks about the issues female comedians face in the industry. For instance, she points out how they're usually required to have a gimmick to stand out from their male counterparts.

The film is not all about personal struggles, though. There are some hilarious moments, which the audience would anticipate given the fact that most of the characters are comedians. However, the humor is not overdone and is quite balanced.

The Stand Up also highlights the importance of friendship in life. Zoe has two close friends, Rusty, (Henry Simmons), and Victor (Luis Guzmán), who are always there for her in thick and thin. They lend their support to her, be it during her time on stage or when she is struggling with her romantic life. These two characters, in particular, bring an added dimension to the movie, and the trio's friendship is something that the audience can relate to.

The movie also showcases several stunning shots of New York City, which add an extra layer of charm to the already delightful narrative. The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring songs from artists like Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, and D'Angelo.

Overall, The Stand Up from 2011 is an entertaining, refreshing, and relatable movie. Its exploration of the life of a comedian and the challenges they face, along with its realistic portrayal of romantic relationships, make it stand out from other romantic comedies. The characters are well-developed, the humor is well-timed, and the story is believable, making the movie worth a watch for fans of the genre.

The Stand Up is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.